Falls

Question 1

Orthostatic Hypotension Causes

Answer 1

Hypovolaemia
- Bleed, dehydration, Diuresis

Anti-hypertensive medication
- New meds, increased dose

Diabetic
- Autonomic neuropathy

Question 2

Cardio Causes

Answer 2

Complete heart block

VT
- Mono or Poly (torsades)

SVT
- Flutter, AF

Valve disease
- Aortic Stenosis

Question 3

Orthostatic Hypotensive Episode

BEFORE
DURING
AFTER

Answer 3

Before
- standing up/change in position

During
- pale, grey, clammy, low HR, clonic jerks

After
- Rapid recovery

Question 4

Cardiac Episode

BEFORE
DURING
AFTER

Answer 4

Before:
No warning

During:
Pale

After:
No defensive injuries as do not attempt to break fall

Question 5

Sensorineural Causes

Answer 5

Vision Loss

Question 6

Renal/Urinary Causes

Answer 6

Incontinence

UTI

Question 7

Neuro Causes

Answer 7

Stroke
Parkinson’s Disease
Cerebellar Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy

Question 8

Endocrine Causes

Answer 8

Hypoglycaemia

Question 9

ENT Causes

Answer 9

BPPV

Question 10

MSK Causes

Answer 10

Arthritis

Disuse Atrophy

Question 11

Iatrogenic Causes

Answer 11

Polypharmacy

Question 12

Bedside Ix

Answer 12

Observations
Lying and standing BP
Urine dip
ECG
BM

AMTS

Question 13

Bloods

Answer 13

FBC
UEs, 
LFTs + GGT
CRP
Bone profile (Ca2+)

Cultures if infection

Question 14

Imaging

Answer 14

Any injuries e.g. NOF, head injury
CXR
CT head
ECHO

Question 15

Special Tests

Answer 15

Tilt Table (syncope)
Dix-Hall-Pike (BPPV)
Cardiac monitoring (24 hr tape)

Question 16

Other

Answer 16

Vasovagal

Micturation/cough Syncope